Try and make us care about the women’s draw at Wimbledon, we dare you. Can we start the quarterfinals already?

Top 10 seeds (1) Dinara Safina, defending champ (3) Venus Williams, French Open champ (5) Svetlana Kuznetsova, (6) Jelena Jankovic, and (9) Caroline Wozniacki (bageling veteran Maria Kirilenko in the first set) all moved into the third round without dropping a set on Thursday at the All England Club.

The elder Williams had a heavily-taped leg, but refused to give direct answers to the press concerning the injury or strain.

No. 11 seed Agnieszka Radwanska had a close call against China’s Shuai Peng, finally prevailing 6-2, 6-7(8), 9-7. No. 18 Sam Stosur also survived a scare, coming back from a break down in the third to defeat Tatjana Malek 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-4.

Hi tenisbebe – nice to see you back. I am a little uncertain about Kim’s return but I wish the best for her.

I think there’s some hope in women’s tennis, as I’ve mentioned before: Lisicki could have a very good future, and players like Azarenka and Wozniacki have stepped up. Navarro just needs a little more power but she has a lot of variety. “Vets” like Kuz, Dementieva, and the Williams sisters are all still playing well. And JJ has a lot of potential too.

Safina and Ivano are “head-cases” but they do have some decent tennis in them.

I will challenge any blogger to try to debate with me the merits of women’s tennis. Not since Steffi (who played like a man but is fit!) or Martina (who looked like a man) has there been anything of any merit about womens tennis. The Williams sisters have killed off the game with their joyless, automaton performances and who seemed to have only achieved success because of their psycho pushy father, Sharapova is a massively overated bit of totty, and the rest are faceles, nameless non entities who noone cares about. The only reason people watch women’s tennis is to get a cheap totty fix (eg/ Kournikova) or to laugh at the ridiculus grunting that just sounds like they’re having amazing sex. Womens tennis, if it is allowed to even be at the same tournaments as the mens game should only be allowed on the outer courts, and as for prize money! ARE YOU HAVING A LAUGH!!! Not sure about equality, more like daylight robbery! Give the winner a £100 gift voucher for Harvey Nichols and tell them to be lucky for it! Most people would rather watch some plucky British loser ranked 786th in the world (who would still beat the top 10 women whoever they are), than sit through the tedium of a womens’ grunt fest.

Jane – hi ya! I have very little interest in the WTA however many people are talking about Lisicki and her serve looked awesome in the double vs the Wms. And there are great hopes for Vicki (Azarenka). I mentioned Kimmy because I have never seen her play & am looking forward to it as have been pinged to work this tourney as they are again short on people. It’s usually a boring week for me but this year I can at least look forward to seeing her play live.

Hiya, Thanks Green Balls. Sorry, Tenisbabe & Jane…please get with the program! Who is Kim Clisters, seriously…what has she done in history that merits any discussion! As for your mate Azarenka, she briefly caught my attention this afternoon at Wimbledon cus she is mildly attractive. I had less than zero interest as to whether she was about to win the next rally let alone her match against someone I am too bored to even remember. And please note, these people are being paid more money than most teachers/nurses etc earn in a lifetime. Where is the sense in that!

I think the women’s game lack professionalism. It’s a skin contest to see who could show the most skin, both top and bottom. I mean look at Jankovic’s sheer nightgown. It’s obvious where the bra stops and her undies begin. Was it necessary to leave the middle so visible?

These women talk about their fashionista, and it’s OK for young women to want that, but for heaven’s sake leave it for the off court activities. I’m a woman and I’m embarrassed to hear men say they only watch the women’s game for some candy. But this is what these airheads have done to the women’s game. What’s wrong with a few more inches to cover their behinds and do we need plunging necklines to see everything hanging out and/or spilling over when they bend over or forward to serve.

The worst I’ve seen, was when Jankovic decided to change her undies on court with some men sitting right behind her, and she was laughing as though she thought it looked cute. After I saw her do that, I lost all respect for her and become nauseous every time I look at her. It would help if she really had to face to use as distraction from her many drama queen antics, but too bad it ain’t so. Grow up gals, tennis is NOT a tasteless fashion show!

I agree that the women sometimes dress in tasteless and inappropriate attire. But let’s not forget that the clothing sponsors (which are run by men) foist this on them. It’s all about money. I’m sure some guys do watch them for the eye candy but I watch alot of the men for exactly the same thing so who am I to throw stones? Of course I am a tennis freak as well but to watch it executed by a hot guy to boot…nothing wrong with that.

Von- Well done! Hit the nail on the head. It is totally about skin and shopping with these muppets. Some stupid Russian bint was going on about how glad she was that her match was over so quickly (about 10mins…real value for money!), so she could nip into central London to go shopping. ARE THESE PEOPLE FOR REAL!!. They do not understand the history or the glory of tennis. They are just bandwagon tarts out for a quick buck and a nice tan…

Wow! Kirilenko is a veteran at 22? What does that make Federer? Hell, what did it make Agassi?

“An all-veteran in Daniela Hantuchova vs. Ai Sugiyama”

Hantu is 26. Can you please define what a ‘veteran’ actually is, in your words? Is there a word for one step up after veteran? If someone is 30-something, what’s the word you use for that? Or is there no distinction? Nadal must be a veteran by Staff’s definition. I’d like to see you call him that though..

“I think the women’s game lack professionalism. It’s a skin contest to see who could show the most skin, both top and bottom. I mean look at Jankovic’s sheer nightgown. It’s obvious where the bra stops and her undies begin. Was it necessary to leave the middle so visible?”

You got any pics of this nightgown? I haven’t seen anything of Wimbledon other than photos from the website. Does she actually play in this thing?

“These women talk about their fashionista, and it’s OK for young women to want that, but for heaven’s sake leave it for the off court activities. I’m a woman and I’m embarrassed to hear men say they only watch the women’s game for some candy. But this is what these airheads have done to the women’s game. What’s wrong with a few more inches to cover their behinds and do we need plunging necklines to see everything hanging out and/or spilling over when they bend over or forward to serve.”

I agree it’s sad that women have to do this to be marketable and competitive with men’s tennis for ratings. Marketability is an advantage women will always have over men, and was the primary reason for the equal pay debate. To that equality issue, I would like to add that if women should be paid equal money, could us blokes pay equal money for car insurance as well? It’s not fair that we get charged significantly more than women do just for having a penis. Ripped off! Where’s the equality in that?

When you say “It’s obvious where the bra stops and her undies begin” do you mean that the midsection is visible because the dress is see-through? It could be sweat. White fabric has a tendency to become translucent or even transparent when soaked. The bra and panties of course makes it thicker and thus not see-through.

Tenisbebe: Surprise, surprise, I’m sorry I don’t watch the men’s game to look at the ‘hot’ guys. I think I’m past that, (but it doesn’t stop me from acknowledging the handsome looking ones) and I sincerely hope I am, because I have a young son who’s in his early twenties. So for an old lady (please don’t call me that guys, I can say it but you’re not allowed) to be ogling a young, hot guy, would be in poor taste and/or verboten. I’m sorry, bt I just don’t thnk of them that way.

With respect to the women’s and men’s clothes, they do have choices you know, and should be able to draw the line of respectability. Hence, their oft showing of so much skin and body parts tells me they don’t have any values and/or opinions as to what they want to wear and how appropriate their clothing should look. However, I don’t think that’s the case where some don’t have a choice, because Sharapova, Serena, Venus, Nadal , Federer, and many players, do have a say in what they want to wear. Which means, I don’t buy the theory that the clothing sponsors are solely to be blamed. We all have choices!
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russmc: I called them airheads because that’s what I feel they are. they can’t even comprehend answer an intelligent question with a straightforward answer. They are like little puppets who jiggle up when their strings are pulled. Let’s face it, the majority of these players come from under-privileged backgrounds, and are uneducated, and tennis has made them into somebodies. It’s one of the reasons they don’t impress me, because put them in a corporate world, and we’d see them not even being able to make it through the Human relations door due to an unimpressive resume, much more seated at a desk working 9:00 to 5:00 (I like that song BTW). I cringe when I see Sharapova showing off her prissy antics and talking up as though she was born with a gold spoon. Had it not been for the Americans (whom she hates) she’d be beating the pavement. Gimme a break Shrieka, who do you think you’re fooling. Any young man/woman can look very refined/sophisticated if they have the money. The bottom-line is class and intelligence, and how many possess that, because class can’t be bought, it’s innate — You either got it or you don’t; it’s that simple.
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Giner: No I don’t have pictures, just catch one of Jancovic’s matches and judge for yourself. I can find the undies change video.

On the insurance premiums, according to stats, the young men are more accident prone due to their rising testosterone levels. LOL. They are perceived to be less of a thinker and more of a reckless endangerment, hence the high premiums. Anyway, I’d think you’re way past that category, so I don’t understand why you’re being penalized. Are you saying you’re still perceived to be testosterone driven by the in surance underwriters. LOL. I couldn’t let that one pass, sorry.

And finally, I’m strictly against this equal pay nonsense for the women. Let them go out there and break their big butts, playing 5 setters, instead of taking the money and buying up skimpy outfits while engaging in their nouveau riche fashionista talk and prisy antics to impress the world that this was always their way of life, being born into gold spoon backgrounds. Yeah, and if you all believe them, then believe me when I say, I’m the Queen of England.

Giner: yes, but you’ve got to see it on TV with the sunlight on the clothes, and it looks a lot more revealing. I don’t need to see where her panties begin and end. And, what about the spagetthi straps that’so low down that when she bends forward nothing’s left to the imagination for the guys. As I said it looks like a nightgown, so wear it to bed JJ.

Von – I guess you a just a respectable “old gal” LOL. Speaking from my experiences however, you may be in the minority. I cannot tell you how many grandmothers crowd the practice courts waiting for Haas, Rafa, etc to take off their shirts – no whistles but definitely murmurs of appreciation. And it doesn’t matter what other big matches are taking place, when Carlos Moya plays they are out in force cheering him on. It cracks me up as I’m quite certain they’re not there to admire his superb tennis or athleticism.

As for the women’s game and/or attire, I am not here to defend them because as I said before I’m not a fan or follower of the WTA. And I have no knowledge of how much “pressure” the clothing manufacturers put on the players that do not have a say-so in their design (the majority). As you said, these are not the brightest or best educated young girls so in a world where people are increasingly obsessed with physical beauty, it’s not surprising.

tenisbebe: – My spouse tells me I should have been a nun, so that could explain my thinking. Please tell me you’re joking about those grandmothers who are ogling the young guys? LOL. I’m laughing. I have come across some mid-forties women who drool over guys in their twenties, but grandmothers? Oohhh lalala. Talk about estrogen in full bloom or trying to squeeze the last bit out before it all comes to a screeching halt. Or maybe they’re using an estrogen patch? LOL, LOL.

“As you said, these are not the brightest or best educated young girls so in a world where people are increasingly obsessed with physical beauty, it’s not surprising.”

I remember vowing at their age that I’d never want to see myself with droopy cheeks and would surely get a facelift, but now that I’m older I’ve changed my mind and would like to grow old gracefully, or as close to that as possible.

“On the insurance premiums, according to stats, the young men are more accident prone due to their rising testosterone levels. LOL. They are perceived to be less of a thinker and more of a reckless endangerment, hence the high premiums. Anyway, I’d think you’re way past that category, so I don’t understand why you’re being penalized. Are you saying you’re still perceived to be testosterone driven by the in surance underwriters. LOL. I couldn’t let that one pass, sorry.”

The problem is, they are generalising. Some men are reckless, especially young ones. But not all of us are, and why should the rest of us pay higher premiums because some of them are more accident prone? Similarly there will be women drivers are also high-risk but keep the cheaper premiums because the rest of them aren’t.

Sexism may or may not enter the question, but let’s suppose that statistically it was men who were safer drivers than women. If men were given cheaper premiums than women, I’d be willing to bet the house that a much greater sh*tstorm would be kicked up by this.

It appears you agree RE: equal pay, so I guess you’re not the one I should be preaching to. I don’t think the best-of-three format is the reason why women players haven’t earned equal pay. It’s the quality of the tennis that isn’t of the same level. They are slower, don’t hit as hard, and just play less beautifully. You won’t find an ‘artist’ style player like Federer in the women’s game. I have seen a number of riveting matches on the men’s tour this year and last that hasn’t been reported in the WTA tour. A recent example would be the Nadal-Djokovic Madrid semi.

“With respect to the women’s and men’s clothes, they do have choices you know, and should be able to draw the line of respectability. Hence, their oft showing of so much skin and body parts tells me they don’t have any values and/or opinions as to what they want to wear and how appropriate their clothing should look. However, I don’t think that’s the case where some don’t have a choice, because Sharapova, Serena, Venus, Nadal , Federer, and many players, do have a say in what they want to wear. Which means, I don’t buy the theory that the clothing sponsors are solely to be blamed. We all have choices!”

Wearing a t-shirt and shorts (for men) and skirt or dress (for women) have been standard tradition for a long time. You’re going to see legs and arms from both men and women because they get hot after all that exertion and it’s easier to cool down. There is some degree of choice, such as the length of the shorts or sleeves but nothing drastic. You couldn’t wear full length trousers or long sleeved shirts I don’t think.

The women have a bit more freedom and are bigger offenders, though again they aren’t going to be covering up. What do you think of Serena’s self designed outfits she used to wear?

“Giner: yes, but you’ve got to see it on TV with the sunlight on the clothes, and it looks a lot more revealing. I don’t need to see where her panties begin and end. And, what about the spagetthi straps that’so low down that when she bends forward nothing’s left to the imagination for the guys. As I said it looks like a nightgown, so wear it to bed JJ.”

By spaghetti straps you mean bra straps? Hmm, I’m tempted just to see but I can’t be bothered watching one of her matches. If it’s as bad as you say, she ought to be fined. Alize Cornet got busted for wearing what was allegedly a ‘see-through’ dress at Hopman cup this year, but when I looked at the pictures, they were way overreacting. And it was far less transparent than JJ’s. The only reason it was even slightly transparent was due to perspiration.

I think I just embarrassed myself. I googled spaghetti straps and I know what you mean now. (Yes I’m clueless when it comes to women’s fashion). If her dress has straps like that, it would surprise me if they didn’t snap.

I would suppose the bra is built into the dress (I wonder how supportive those built in bras are), or she’d have to wear a strapless bra.

I didn’t intentionally watch her match, but had to wait for it to end to see the men’s match, and felt disgusted by what I saw — hence my thoughts on the night-dress.

Man I tell you one flick of the finger and that strap will be broken, or the clasp holding it up could snap. Snap, pop, and out it comes. Put your eyes back into their sockets and stop your imagination from running wild. Chances are, it ain’t gonna happen.LOL. I doubt whether a built-in bra is very supportive to her considering all the running, etc. She’ll realize the full impact of that around 35 or so, but there’s plastic surgery and she has the money. I know that the skirts aren’t supposed to be long, but sometimes they are way too short. Don’t let’s talk of Serena’s clothes, period.

I don’t have a problem with the men’s clothing. I think a few inches shorter would look a bit more attractive on some of the guys — the shorts are touching their knees. Let’s see some muscled legs.

“(I wonder how supportive those built in bras are), or she’d have to wear a strapless bra.”

Sorry, I couldn’t pass on this one, and I know you and your sense of humor — are you thinking of experimenting? I mean is this your weekend to change? LOL. Send us a picture, will ya.

Agree, play 5 sets to get equal pay. Oh please bring back Martina, Billy-Jean, Chrissie et al. though do think Venus ia awesome on grass.
BTW had friend who was grandma at 35…but she isn’t the ogling type…

I think what makes the women’s game so pathetic nowadays is that many of them do not appear to have any sense of pride, or worse, any shame. It’s almost like they do not care how badly they play they just want to look pretty enough to catch the attention of Playboy and then cash in.

They embarass the trailblazing athletes of yesteryear who had to deal with cultural and institutional sexism on every level and yet they turned in far superior play than today’s women, who are now paid equally with men. They do not deserve it.

Safina and Ivano are “head-cases” but they do have some decent tennis in them.

Yes, but at least Ivano has a GS which Safina can only dream of. I think Ana will get out of this funk eventually. She’s got her old team back, I read. Look at Kuznetsova. It took her five years to get out of it. Looks like Azarenka has a chance.